Campaign roundup

Barack Obama left reporters behind and flew without notice to North Carolina on Sunday to meet with former rival John Edwards, who has yet to make an endorsement in the Democratic presidential race. The Obama campaign confirmed the meeting at Edwards' home in Chapel Hill and said it was "to discuss the state of the campaign and the pressing issues facing American families." There was no comment on the possibility of an endorsement.

Hillary Rodham Clinton's advisers argued that Barack Obama had abandoned a commitment to accept public funding if he wins the nomination. Last week, Obama's campaign backed off a proposal he made last year to accept public financing for the general election if the GOP nominee also does so. "When a campaign is based on promises and wonderful oratory, let's take a look at those promises," said Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson. He would not say whether Clinton would commit to public financing.

John McCain told ABC's "This Week" in a taped interview broadcast Sunday that under no circumstances would he increase taxes if he is elected president. McCain's statement marked a turnaround. In September, he was forced to defend his refusal to sign a no-new-taxes pledge offered by the conservative Americans for Tax Reform.